Any blank card can be intimidating, and Father’s Day cards and graduation cards rank among the trickiest. My first tip for any card is to think about it as a thank you note—is there anything you’d like to thank this dad or grad for? Read on for specific tips, scripts and thought starters for writing cards they will keep forever.

Tips for Writing a Graduation Card

Cards to graduates don’t have to be long or exhaustive, but there is an art to the form. Like a good commencement speech (see my favorite at the bottom of the email), your goal is twofold: to impart a few words of wisdom and to express your vote of confidence. I loved this Catherine Newman essay about “lovestorming” with your high schooler before they write their college essay.  Likewise, before writing the card, spend a few moments thinking about this person and what makes them unique. Ask yourself these questions:

1. What qualities of the graduate will serve them well in life? What memories are coming to mind? (Example: “Always remember that you are the person who closed your eyes and cried throughout the entirety of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and then asked if we could get back on line and ride it again. You have so much bravery inside of you—not to mention stubbornness.”)

2. What advice would you give yourself at that age? (Mine would be: When a boss offers constructive criticism, lay down your defenses/ego, listen carefully and ask follow up questions. No one likes having these conversations—boss included—but they are a fast-track to growth.)

Tips for Writing a Father’s Day Card

I think a good Father’s Day card is really a thank you note. In my book, I spent a month writing my husband one gratitude note a day, mostly for mundane things that somehow transform into something sweet and romantic when immortalized in a card. Examples:

●  “Thank you for playing the chilled-out jazz mix from Charlie’s birth this morning. Thank you for being the DJ of our house/lives. I love how you set the perfect mood with music.”
●  “Thank you for getting the children back to sleep last night, and for staying up for those two hours listening, making sure they were getting back to sleep. Those boys are so lucky that you are theirs.”
●  “Thank you for identifying potential danger at the birthday party this morning, and thank you for always thinking two steps ahead of our children’s potential injuries. It must be exhausting in that head of yours.”

If it helps you out, here is a round of Father’s Day mad libs. Bonus: This works for your dad, your father-in-law, or your partner!

My Gift to You 
You are invited to join a “gratitude experience” THIS THURSDAY the 10th at 1:30 EST. My friend Chris runs these for companies like Google, Shopify, etc., and he generously offered to host one for my community! Reading the testimonials I’m struck by how many people have described the experience as “life-changing,” “life-affirming,” etc. Reply to this email if you’d like to join, and I will add you to the invite. 

My Biggest Giveaway Yet
I am beyond excited to share with you my biggest giveaway to date, on #BFFday! I have partnered with The Culinistas, Ovenly, and 20x200 to gift two BFFs a grand prize including:

1. The Culinistas Studio Candle

2. $75 20x200 gift certificate

3. Ovenly Classics cookie package

4. A copy of I Want to Thank You

A Favor…
Could you help me get to my goal of 100 Amazon reviews? (You don’t need to have purchased the book from Amazon in order to write a review!)
 

Before you go, I'll leave you with this
Here is an Excerpt from George Saunder’s excellent 2013 Syracuse Commencement Speech:

“What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. 

Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth?

Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.”